A rally in Elmendorf, Texas, featured fun, friends, and food.
By Phyllis Avella, F424750
August 2019
In 1978, Texans Bob and Lavonne Humphreys found it difficult to attend FMCA rallies because of their work schedules and the distances to such events. The solution, they concluded, was to establish a chapter in south Texas.
Using FMCA membership rolls, Bob compiled a list of RVers residing south of San Antonio. Over the course of a month, he called each of those families to discuss forming a new chapter.
Twelve couples met on September 19, 1978, at Palo Alto RV Park in Rockport, Texas, and voted unanimously to form the South Texas Renegades chapter. It officially was chartered on April 1, 1979.
From that modest beginning, the chapter has become one of the most active (and we think, the best) in Texas. Membership has grown to about 90 families. We are still going strong and plan to be around for at least another 40 years.
Our 40th anniversary celebration took place April 11 to 13, 2019, at Braunig Lake RV Resort in Elmendorf, Texas. The weekend started with a toast to the past, present, and future members of Renegades and ended with a special anniversary cake. We had a very good celebration!
Our unofficial motto is “Fun . . . Friends . . . Food,” and this rally included all of that. There were games, gatherings each evening after dinner, and many good things to eat. Some members sent pictures and/or descriptions of their lives in 1979, and there was a contest of “can you guess who?” Also posted around the rally hall were lists of 1979 happenings. It was fun seeing what some of our members were doing before they became part of the “family.” Chapter members Frank and Linda Whitted are woodworkers and shared some of their handiwork as door prizes.
Two couples have been members for more than 25 years: Gary and Sindy Smith joined in 1990; Duncan and Shirley Rowland joined a few years later. The Rowlands were unable to be at the rally, but the Smiths attended and received a certificate for being the “oldest” members.
Rett Porter, FMCA national senior vice president, is a member of Renegades, as is Joe Wright, national vice president, South Central Area. They presented an anniversary certificate and check to Phyllis Avella, South Texas Renegades president, to share with the group.
For information on joining our fun and fellowship, visit the chapter website, www.southtexasrenegades.com. If you plan to be near one of our rallies and wish to attend, contact our membership chairperson, Bob Avella, at avellabob@gmail.com.